Summary
A 39-year-old information assurance specialist was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct) and Guideline F (Financial Considerations). The applicant had approximately $40,999 in unresolved financial delinquencies, which he attributed to unemployment and medical expenses.
The Statement of Reasons detailed several financial issues, including 17 medical accounts totaling $971, a credit card with an unpaid balance of $3,932, and two student loans totaling $36,096. Additionally, the applicant deliberately failed to disclose complete financial information on his security clearance application. Specifically, he did not list his two delinquent student loans when asked about debts over 180 days delinquent, debts over 90 days delinquent, and delinquent federal debts, despite answering "yes" to some of these questions and listing other, smaller debts.
The denial was based on the applicant's admission of multiple financial delinquencies and his failure to resolve them, even with the apparent means to do so. He did not provide evidence of payments or substantial efforts to negotiate repayment plans, leading to concerns about his reliability and judgment.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant admitted to multiple financial delinquencies totaling approximately $40,999, which he failed to resolve despite having the means to do so.
- The applicant did not provide evidence of any payments made towards his delinquent accounts or any substantial efforts to negotiate repayment plans with creditors.
- The applicant's financial difficulties were ongoing and not adequately addressed, raising concerns about his reliability and judgment.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability or Unwillingness to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 20(b)rejectedConditions Largely Beyond the Person's ControlWhile the applicant faced unemployment and medical issues, he did not act responsibly to resolve his financial problems.
- AG ¶ 20(d)rejectedGood-faith Effort to Repay Overdue CreditorsThe applicant failed to demonstrate any significant efforts to repay his debts.
Key Rule Quoted
“"A person who seeks access to classified information enters into a fiduciary relationship with the government predicated upon trust and confidence."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 17, 2010
- Answer filedAug 20, 2010
- Hearing heldJan 26, 2011
- Decision dateFeb 25, 2011
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Financial Delinquencies
- Impact of Financial Irresponsibility on Trustworthiness
- Failure to Demonstrate Good-faith Efforts in Debt Resolution